Saigon Chevy? Mid Year History

[Mark H.]

Back in 1980, in researching the history of our '66, I contacted the original owner. He told me he ordered the car while in Vietnam, through Saigon Chevy, and that the order was placed through the single car sales office in New York City. He took delivery on the car at Merrill Bean Chevrolet in Ogden, Utah.

Does "Saigon Chevy" or the "single car sales office" sound familiar to anyone? I am curious about this and am seeking further details. Thanks!

[Ronald L.]

Re: Saigon Chevy? Mid Year History

Mark,
Search the archives, I recall seeing details about a NY based office that shipped GM cars off-shore at that time. That would be the starting point.

[Terry M.]

Re: Saigon Chevy? Mid Year History

When I was Editor of The Corvette Restorer I printed a story about a 1972 Corvette that was ordered by a person in the military through a hardware store in the Philippines for delivery at a Chevrolet dealer in his home town. It showed EXPORT PREP on the delivery paperwork even though the car never left the USA. I can't recall the name of the hardware store, but perhaps the ordering location changed over the years -- or depended on the branch of the service or where the individual was stationed.

[Vinnie P.]

Re: Saigon Chevy? Mid Year History

Mark,

Here's a link to a pdf of a story that appeared in the Spring 2009 issue of The Corvette Restorer...hope it helps

Vinnie

https://www.ncrs.org/restorer/overseasorder.pdf

Mark...if you need copies of the full hi-res paperwork, let me know and I'll send them to you

[Terry M.]

Re: Saigon Chevy? Mid Year History

Vinnie,

A much more appropriate story than the one I cited.

[John H.]

Re: Saigon Chevy? Mid Year History

I purchased my 1967 small block roadster in May of 1966 while I was serving with the USMC in RVN. I paid Garages Des Charner of Saigon (through their Danang office) a 12000 Piaster ($100) commission to write the deal which was then carried out by General Motors Foreign Distributors division in New York.
My car was originally written up as a 1966 but due to my delay in returning to the states and a strike in St Louis I ultimately received a 1967 model. Delivery was December 19th through Kenneth Chevrolet in Hawthorne, CA. The total price paid to GM was $3885.69, allegedly $100 dollars over wholesale for military personnel serving in Vietnam. I still have the car and drive it regularly.
John Hill

[George J.]

Re: Saigon Chevy? Mid Year History

John,
Great first post. Welcome to the board!

George

[Mark H.]

Re: Saigon Chevy? Mid Year History

John, great story about your purchase of your '67. Do you suppose that the "Garages Des Charner of Saigon" is the same as the "Saigon Chevy" that our original owner referred to?

[John H.]

Re: Saigon Chevy? Mid Year History

Hi Mark
As an inveterate and unrepentant pack rat I have all of the original paper work from my order and purchase. The full name of the agent was Societe' Des Garages Charner at 131 Nguyen Hue in Saigon. Their letterhead lists Cadillac, Chevrolet, Corvair, Chevy II, Chevelle, Impala, and Corvette as their products. The GM order forms and their subsequent letters only cite Garages Des Charner. I am inclined to think that Saigon Chevy was a different operation.
John

[Robert T.]

Re: Saigon Chevy? Mid Year History

I never miss a chance to thank a Veteren for their service. So.....Thanks John!! Really appreciate what you did.

[Michael H.]

Re: Saigon Chevy? Mid Year History

I never miss a chance to thank a Veteren for their service. So.....Thanks John!! Really appreciate what you did.

I second that, Thank you.

Mike

[Rick K.]

Re: Saigon Chevy? Mid Year History

In late 65 or early 66 I priced a Corvette & Chevelle at a small sales office in Saigon. The office consisted of 2 sales people & a lot sales information.
The office was located about 2 blocks from the bar area on Tudor st.

You could also purchase cars through the PX (post exchange) for delivery in the U.S. when you rotated back home.

[John H.]

[Rick K.]

Re: Saigon Chevy? Mid Year History

John, the area you describe sounds very much like the same place. I may check it out on Goggle tonight.
We were near the "Iron Triangle" but on occasion we could slip into Saigon on the resupply truck for some Tudor Street style R&R.

[Ray G.]

Re: Saigon Chevy? Mid Year History

I purchased my 1967 small block roadster in May of 1966 while I was serving with the USMC in RVN. I paid Garages Des Charner of Saigon (through their Danang office) a 12000 Piaster ($100) commission to write the deal which was then carried out by General Motors Foreign Distributors division in New York.
My car was originally written up as a 1966 but due to my delay in returning to the states and a strike in St Louis I ultimately received a 1967 model. Delivery was December 19th through Kenneth Chevrolet in Hawthorne, CA. The total price paid to GM was $3885.69, allegedly $100 dollars over wholesale for military personnel serving in Vietnam. I still have the car and drive it regularly.
John Hill

Hello John Hill;
Thank you for your service to our country.
Very cool Corvette history. Many of us wish we had your forethought.
Ray